Online recruitment in hospitality falls, but growth is still strong

Online recruitment activity in hospitality and tourism fell by more than any other industry sector last month but underlying growth was strong, says a new survey.

Online hiring in the sector fell by 20% in August after four months of growth, according to a survey by recruitment company Monster Worldwide.

Monster said the dip was a seasonal correction following escalated hiring in the lead-up to the holiday season, with reduced demand for senior officials and managers in the occupational category.

There was a decline in job opportunities across all regions with the sharpest fall in northern England.

But despite the decline, year-on-year growth in the hospitality and tourism sector was 36% – the highest among all UK industry sectors.

Online recruitment in all sectors fell by seven points in August - the fifth decline in the last six months and the first time on record that the index did not show annual growth.

Hugo Sellert, head of economic research at Monster Worldwide, said: "Despite a seasonal decline in hiring in August, demand in hospitality and tourism is holding up remarkably well.  Online vacancies in the sector reached a historical high in July 2008 and overall job availability has significantly increased compared to 12 months ago."

Monster's monthly employment index tracks millions of jobs advertised online in different industry sectors.

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By Nick Huber

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